Our Lady of Mount Carmel 2023: Date, History, Facts about Mount Carmel and the Scapula

The only religious order to originate in the Crusader States was the Carmelite Order. In the thirteenth century, a number of its members migrated westward to England, establishing a new chapter between 1241 and 1242.

The observance of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Day on July 16 was initiated by the Universal church in 1726. In celebration of this Catholic cultural event, a liturgical feast is conducted. Catholics are encouraged to demonstrate their faith by honouring Mary, the patroness of the Carmelite Order.

The background of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Saint Simon Stock, an early English prior general of the Carmelite Order shortly after its migration to England, was believed to have had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she gave him the brown scapular in the late 14th century. After 1287, this became part of the Carmelite habit.

Fr. John Cheron, a Carmelite, published a document in 1642 that he attested was a letter written by Saint Simon Stock’s secretary, Peter Swannington, in the 13th century. Historians have concluded since the early 20th century that Cheron likely fabricated this letter himself.

However, many individuals supported Stock’s vision of scapular devotion. The forged Swanington letter stated that the vision occurred on July 16, 1251, which is the date of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This led to a strong association between this feast day and the scapular devotion for centuries.

Based on the available historical records, the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel had no specific connection to the Brown Scapular or the tradition of Stock’s vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition and the liturgical cult of Saint Simon developed gradually. In 1726, under the name Our Lady of Mount Carmel, it became a celebration of the Universal Church.

Although Simon Stock was never officially declared a saint, the church observed his feast day. In 1951, a relic of Saint Simon Stock was held at the resurrected Carmelite convent in Aylesford, England. The saint’s feast is observed in specific locations that are dedicated to him.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been adopted as the patron saint of several places in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, as she has in other countries with a majority Catholic population. The Catholic Church celebrates Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 as an optional memorial.

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